I knew someone would mention screening. For now I'm not going with it since I totally blew the budget That being said, WNV isn't real prevalent in my area and I live on a hill made of blow sand so the immediate skeeter population here is minimal because there isn't much water to breed in. There are a few though. Maybe someday. I figure in the wild they aren't protected so at least I'm not putting them in harms way more than usual.
As far as the screws go I am well aware of how they can rust, and wood rot/soften over the years. I drilled holes in the conduit a tad larger than the screws I used so that when/if they need replacing I can go with a larger screw and get some bite. I also made sure I used screws that are made to tolerate today's treated lumber. Since they stopped using the arsenic laden solution and switched to copper sulfate the new treatment raises hell with screws and aluminum if in contact with it.
Hopefully today I can get a perch or two installed and work out the details with the window and the door lock. It looks like Rudi will get to try out the new facility on Wednesday. After Thursday I have 13 days off so I can keep an eye on how he behaves. I'm hoping he doesn't go all crazy with the new found space.
I figure in the wild they aren't protected so at least I'm not putting them in harms way more than usual.
Those are my thoughts too. I live here in the arm pit of America where swamps, biting insects and high humidity are an every day thing. I figure that the local birds here have to have built up some immunity to it. I know the crow population here was hit pretty hard with WNV but they are coming back with a vengeance. Surely WNV is still around but their populations aren't getting smaller by the year.
Last Edit: Jun 23, 2008 15:44:15 GMT -5 by miket307
“Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.”
just my 2 cents, I have netting on my windows simply because I do not want to invest that much time in a bird to just loose it over something that can be controlled. I know that some areas are more likely to have WNV than others, but why take a chance?
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
just my 2 cents, I have netting on my windows simply because I do not want to invest that much time in a bird to just loose it over something that can be controlled. I know that some areas are more likely to have WNV than others, but why take a chance?
It's a free bird. If he gets WNV and dies, I'll go get me another one. The time invested will be the same whether it's this bird or another one I guess.
It's a free bird. If he gets WNV and dies, I'll go get me another one. The time invested will be the same whether it's this bird or another one I guess.
There's no way to keep every skeeter out anyway.
First of all, I hope everyone is disgusted by this statement and I can't believe I haven't seen anyone say anything about what this guy just said. It's a free bird if he dies I'll go get me another one. Wow. You sadistic p.o.s. How are you even allowed to be a falconer when you view these animals as just free birds that you can just get whenever and not give a SH!@t about their well-being. The end-goal of falconry is the preservation of all birds of prey. There are also ethical guidelines you should follow. If the master I study under heard you say that you'd probably be shot.
Last Edit: Jun 30, 2008 11:18:01 GMT -5 by jkill416
Migisi,I knew someone would mention screening. For now I'm not going with it since I totally blew the budget
An honest reason. Thanks for that. I can understand. But... vet care is way more expensive.
That being said, WNV isn't real prevalent in my area and I live on a hill made of blow sand so the immediate skeeter population here is minimal because there isn't much water to breed in.
I thought the same. I'm in the middle of the windy great soy/corn desert where the skeeter pop is low to nonexistant. Despite that, three of my birds were infected with WNV in 2001. And I received many infected local hawks and owls. It only takes one infected skeeter. By screening the mews, you reduce the chance that the one skeeter can enter it.
I figure in the wild they aren't protected so at least I'm not putting them in harms way more than usual.
You're right. They're not protected in the wild. I've had many wild hawks and owls admitted to rehab with WNV - and many died.
Here's what I don't understand ... You're building a mews to house your bird safely. You're buildling it to protect your bird from other potentially harmful things. Like digging predators, human mischief, good drainage to prevent illness ie aspergillosis, etc. But you don't think it's necessary to protect the bird from a known health hazard like WNV? Sorry, I don't get it.
If the master I study under heard you say that you'd probably be shot.
Talk about irony
Nice first post, jkill.
Actually I thought it was an excellent first post, I don't understand the flippant attitude I'll just get me another bird. We are in charge of caring for these birds to the best of our ability. Sorry but that is the way I feel.
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
If you really cared about your bird kenbro you would let it go so it wouldn't have to hunt rats under sheet metal that you move out of the way for it. (NOT falconry IMO) At least I made sure I had game available before I got into this sport. My bird is well taken care of, don't worry about that. Granted, my statement about getting another one comes across rather flippant, and in reality that's not how I feel and I probably shouldn't have said it that way, but there's a ton more to caring for the birds than just deciding not to screen a weathering area. I'm certain I'm not the only one who doesn't have screening in place.
I have game and we have caught rabbits and squirrels. It is not my doing we had a low year due to hot winter and coyote population. This year has already seen more game for next year. I am sorry that what I said lead you to attack me and my falconry habits. I was just stating my opinion so that some of the apprentice want to be did not have the same attitude as "I just go get another bird". I did not mean to slam you and would not have said anything till you commented on the gentleman's first post. I typically look at your falconry as one to enjoy, I meant no harm.
Last Edit: Jun 30, 2008 15:23:50 GMT -5 by kenbro77
"Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid." -John Wayne
I understand how Jkills feels regarding the statement. But, I do think that he went a bit overboard, especially for someone who is making his first post. According to the records, he just signed up. He probably hasn't done his due dilligence and read any of Dave's past posts or he'd have known that Dave takes good care of his birds and hunts them often. Jkills' first post was rather rude and flippant towards all of us, to be quite honest. There was definitely a more productive way to have started this discussion. Instead, Jkill decided to use a somewhat rude and blunt approach that came off a bit extreme. -Joe
Yea you're right ken, the "I'll just go get me another one" comment comes across way bad, especially for wanna be's. My bad. I need to learn not to respond to things when I'm pissed.
However, stating that I could get shot for saying that is also uncalled for and far worse than "just go getting" another bird. I'd like to think that jkill just reacted to the moment and didn't mean that. Then there's the p.o.s. comment. I should take this up with jkill in PM I guess, 'cause I'm getting pissed again.
If the master I study under heard you say that you'd probably be shot.
The good ol internet. jkill, I sure do hope you do not speak in such a way face to face with people in the real world. If you do, you probably won't in the near future. If you have ever paid attention to Dave's post in the past, you would know he treats his hawks just fine, and for the issue with screening, I can actually see where he is coming from. My mews is screened, and yes my FRT did get WNV and was lucky to survive. Did the window screening do it job for my girl? No. Do I think it is a good idea? Yes, but it does not prevent WNV, it is only an small barrier and in my opinion when it is hunting season the hawk should not spend a lot of time in the mews anyway. Good replies Ken and Dave, sometimes the heat in our heads makes us speak in tongues.
How about we just drop it. If y'all feel that you need to talk more about it. PMs are the way to go. A few of y'all been on here long enough to know that.
I used to think i knew some things. But i'm not so sure anymore.